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Fitness Instructors and Trainers
Our Team
Akemi Dean
Yoga and Ballet Instructor
Akemi Dean
My name is Akemi Dean. I have been very lucky to be with Siskiyou Family YMCA and to be teaching as a yoga and ballet instructor for over 25 plus years. My Saturday 10 a.m. yoga class is not a traditional yoga class. I do not use traditional yoga terms and chant. I also avoid extreme yoga poses. My yoga class is not only easy to learn and relaxing, but challenging as well depending on how much you like to work out. My main focus is on safety, alignments, positions with modifications, and stretch. People who can tolerate my English with Japanese accent totally enjoy my yoga class.
I was very fortunate to take ballet lessons from many wonderful ballet teachers. I was also trained by professionals so my ballet is a traditional form of classical ballet. My ballet class is for people who love to be disciplined, mostly adults.
Angela (Angie) Martinez
Fitness Instructor
Angela (Angie) Martinez
Angie started on her own fitness journey when her husband deployed to Afghanistan in 2014. Having found success, she simply wanted to pay it forward, and share the good news that, “If I can do it, anyone can!”
Angie is a certified instructor in PiYO, WARRIOR Revolution, WARRIOR Strength, WARRIOR Rhythm, WARRIOR Combat, SOUL Fusion and BARRE Fusion. Seeing her students weekly, whom she adores, keeps her fueled to continue to share her passion.
Angie enjoys hiking, wine tasting, and traveling with her family every chance she gets.
Best advice: Just move your body!
Chai Perlman
Certified Personal Trainer
Chai Perlman
Certified Personal Trainer
Chai is a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) where he is also enrolled in the Nutrition Coach Program.
Chai loves a physical challenge and is a passionate athlete, which lead him to become a professional disc golf player. He also enjoys backpacking and camping with is equally adventurous Labradoodle, Harper.
Jaime Graves
Yoga & Fitness Instructor
Jaime Graves
Jaime has taught fitness for several years at the YMCA and has been a member since the Siskiyou Family YMCA first opened its doors in the 1990’s. She is a firm believer that exercise not only makes you look and feel better but also benefits your mental health. Jaime teaches regular fitness classes Monday and Wednesday and fills in as needed for yoga.
Jaime loves to hike, garden and enjoy the outdoors in many ways while spending time with her family. Jaime is a second grade teacher by day and a fitness instructor by night.
Jaime holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree from Southern Oregon University, has twenty years of elementary school teaching experience and nearly as much experience in the fitness classroom.
Jake Williams
Certified Personal Trainer
Jake Williams
Jake started his journey into health and wellness at a young age, being an athlete playing multiple sports and then discovering weight training in his early teens. Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer at the age of 18, Jake has 16 years of experience in the field. Working with a wide variety of clientele, from first-time gym goers to advanced athletes, and physical rehabilitation needs to general weight management.
Whatever your goals may be, Jake will be there to help you achieve them.
Janet Morril
Spinning & Fitness Instructor
Janet Morril
Janet began teaching fitness classes in 1988 in southern California and has taught here in Yreka and also Scott Valley since moving here 28 years ago. She currently teaches a spinning class (indoor biking) on Wednesday evenings here at the YMCA. Janet loves teaching this class, not only because it is a great cardio workout, but because it is its own little caring community of friends, old and new.
Janet’s “real” job is teaching history at Yreka High School and she is also the Activities Director there.
Jennifer Higelin
Fitness Instructor & Dance / Gymnastics Instructor
Jennifer Higelin
Fitness Instructor & Dance /Gymnastics Instructor
Jennifer has been teaching classes here at the Y for over 12 years. She works with all ages from 2 years old and up. Not only does Jennifer enjoy teaching dance and gymnastics, she instructs a seated fitness and low-impact aerobics class. With a love for science and art, she is also our summer STEAM camp instructor.
Jennifer attended Citrus College and spent many years choreographing for various High Schools, Theatre Musicals and Show Choirs in Southern California before moving to Yreka. She has had the opportunity to travel the world while performing and now enjoys passing on what she has learned.
Kellie Perkins
PiYo Instructor
Kellie Perkins
PiYo Instructor
Kellie has been a certified PiYo instructor for over four years. After an injury that prevented her from running, she attended PiYo; a group fitness experience that incorporates aspects of Pilates, HIIT and Yoga.In becoming certified, Kellie discovered a love in helping others find their way into better health despite any limitations they may face.
When she is not in the gym, Kellie is a mom of five and works as an Associate Marriage and Family therapist. Married to YMCA board member Greg Perkins, she and her husband see fitness and community as important aspects of not only physical but mental health.
Kim Eastman
Yoga Instructor
Kim Eastman
Yoga Instructor
My name is Kim Eastman. I have enjoyed teaching many kinds of fitness classes at our YMCA since 1999. I love sharing fitness with people to promote wellness, relieve stress, build confidence and have fun.
I have been practicing yoga since I was 16 years old and began training in Ashland. I believe that yoga is an incredible way to take care of oneself through breathing, stretching and challenging our bodies and minds. I believe that yoga should be approachable and fun for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Outside of the YMCA I enjoy spending time with my family out in nature.
Phoenix Jensen
ACE Certified Personal Trainer / Fitness Instructor
Phoenix Jensen
Phoenix is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer who is deeply passionate about fitness as it completely changed his life. He has realized not only the physical benefit you gain from exercise, but the mental benefits you gain as well. With Phoenix being so heavily invested into fitness, he wants to share his love for it with others by helping them grow into the best version of themselves through exercise.
Heather Halverson
NASA-Certified Personal Trainer & Fitness Instructor
Heather Halverson
Hello, I’m Heather Halverson, a NASA-Certified Personal Trainer. My journey in health and wellness began with my own experience in weight loss, where I discovered the powerful role of exercise in enhancing mental well-being. I am enthusiastic about sharing this knowledge with others and am dedicated to helping individuals achieve their healthiest and most confident selves. My experience includes working with clients who are recovering from injuries, those aiming for weight loss, and individuals focused on building strength. Additionally, I am currently pursuing a nutrition certification to further enhance my expertise.
